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The Autumn Concert series at Hanover Hall continues this March with Ralph Miller and his Quintet celebrating 100 years since the birth of legendary trumpeter Miles Davis. Marking the moment at which Miles became the most famous and revered figure in jazz, Miller’s quintet will perform the iconic album “Round About Midnight” in full, a record that was released in 1957 and is characterised by Davis’ unique muted sound and restrained melodic improvisations. Completing the band on the night will be tenor saxophonist Gwyn Reynolds from Christchurch, club-director and pianist Bill Martin, double bassist Daniel Potter and local drummer Carl Woodward. The second set will feature a selection of iconic Davis compositions and arrangements that show his development from the bebop of the 1940s to the modal and free jazz of the 1950s and 1960s.Davis was famously heard at the 1955 Newport Jazz Festival performing Thelonious Monk’s “Round Midnight” with a muted trumpet by George Aviaken from Columbia Records. Not only did this lead to a recording contract with the giant label, but it enabled Davis to create the sound of modern jazz that would resonate with millions of listeners across America and the world. Despite not writing any of the tunes on the album, the contemporary selections reflect the influence of composers such as Monk, Charlie Parker and Tadd Dameron upon his early development as a bop player, with the straight ahead standards “All of You” and “Bye Bye Blackbird” reflecting his interpretation of standards as a band leader on the Prestige Label. For this one-off concert only, Miller’s quintet will perform the album from start to finish!
Performing the repertoire of Miles Davis has formed a big part of Miller’s own career on the Dunedin Jazz Scene. In 2020, Miller played the role of Davis in the Birth of the Cool tribute show at Hanover Hall, a concert he reperformed to a sell-out audience in Wanaka to rave reviews. Since that time, Miller has performed regularly at the Dunedin Jazz Club in tribute shows to Ella Fitzgerald, Charles Mingus and Tadd Dameron. Following his successful performance at the Kind of Blue tribute concert with Geoff Culverwell, tenor saxophonist Gwyn Reynolds once again returns to Dunedin to fill the shoes of John Coltrane for the first set and Wayne Shorter in the second set. Double bassist Daniel Potter has performed many times as the double bassist for the Dunedin City Jazz Orchestra, and is looking forward to emulating the great Paul Chambers and Ron Carter from these important recordings. Local audiences are no stranger to pianist BIll Martin and drummer Carl Woodward, who as a combination, have performed many sell-out concerts at the DJC.
Round about Midnight: A Miles Davis Centenary Concert
Saturday, 28 March, 7:30pm
Personnel:
Ralph Miller (trumpet)
Gwyn Reynolds (tenor)
Bill Martin (piano)
Daniel Potter (double bass)
Carl Woodward (drums)
Timings: 7pm - doors open; 7:30 - Set One; 8:30 - Set Two; 9:30 - Finish.
Dunedin Jazz Club is proudly supported by the Dunedin City Council and Otago Community Trust.
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Event Venue
65 Hanover Street, Dunedin Central, 9016, Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, 65 Hanover St, Dunedin Central, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand, Dunedin
Tickets
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